What woodland management involves
- Thinning removes some trees to give the best ones room and let light reach the woodland floor.
- Coppicing cuts certain species, such as hazel, hornbeam and sweet chestnut, down to near ground level so they regrow as many stems. Done on a rotation, it creates a patchwork of light and shade that suits wildlife.
- Deadwood left standing or lying supports fungi, insects and birds, so a plan usually keeps some, away from paths and boundaries. Dangerous trees by tracks, roads or neighbours' land are a different matter and should be dealt with.
- Rides, glades and edges kept open give variety, and paths and gates keep access safe.
Ash dieback in woods
Many Worcestershire woods contain ash, and ash dieback is changing how they are managed. The Forestry Commission's guidance, Managing ash dieback in England, advises owners to survey their ash, record its condition, and plan for losses, rather than do nothing or clear everything. Healthy-looking ash may be tolerant, so are worth keeping, and gaps may need restocking. Dangerous ash beside paths, roads and buildings need prompt attention from a tree surgeon with experience of brittle, diseased wood.
Felling licences
In England you normally need a licence from the Forestry Commission before felling growing trees. Under the Forestry Commission's guidance, in any calendar quarter you may fell up to 5 cubic metres on your property without a licence, as long as no more than 2 cubic metres are sold. Other exceptions exist, including some for dangerous trees, and the guidance says to apply for a licence at least 3 months ahead where one is needed. A licence is normally issued for 5 years, or 10 years if linked to an approved woodland management plan. Licences are free. Check with the Forestry Commission before felling, because felling without a required licence is an offence. You may also need to consider other protections, for instance if the wood has a TPO, where the felling licence application must name it and the Forestry Commission consults the council (see our TPO guide), a Site of Special Scientific Interest designation, or protected species such as bats.
Management plans and grants
A written woodland management plan sets out what you want from the wood and what work will happen over the coming years. The Forestry Commission's tree felling overview asks that felling meets the UK Forestry Standard. Grant schemes change often. The England Woodland Creation Offer pays towards creating new woodland, see the official guidance. For managing existing woodland, check the Countryside Stewardship collection, where, as of October 2026, Higher Tier (opened September 2025) requires an invitation before you receive pre-application advice. Ask the Forestry Commission or an adviser what is open before you commit to any work you hope to claim for.
Worcestershire woodland and deer
Worcestershire has large woods as well as small ones. Forestry England describes Wyre Forest, on the Worcestershire-Shropshire border, as the largest woodland National Nature Reserve in the country. Whatever its size, a wood may contain ancient woodland, veteran trees and protected species, and the work you do should take them into account. Deer browsing can hold back young growth and coppice regrowth, so plans often include fencing or guards. Deer control needs trained people and should be left to them.
Starting small
You don't need to do everything at once. A sensible first year is to walk the wood, mark the boundary, find the paths and any dangerous trees, record where the ash is, and note anything that looks old or unusual. Then decide what you want the wood to do: wildlife, timber, firewood, shooting, recreation, or a mix. Light thinning and keeping paths open are usually the first jobs, and a plan can follow from there. Take photographs each year so you can see how it changes.
Choosing a firm
Ask whether the firm has worked on woodland of your type, can work with a forester or arboriculturist, and can handle timber extraction, chipping and haulage, or leave the wood for you. Ask who applies for licences, and who checks for nesting birds and bats first.